GREAT NOIDA, India: The one-off Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand at Greater Noida, India, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to persistent rain.
This marks only the eighth time in Test cricket history that a match has been called off without any play. The match was scheduled at Afghanistan’s adopted home ground near New Delhi, but relentless rain over two weeks, combined with the venue’s limited drainage facilities, led to its cancellation.
Despite some sunshine on the first two days, the outfield remained waterlogged. Efforts by ground staff, including using electric fans and replacing wet patches with new mud and grass, were unsuccessful. The venue, hosting its first-ever Test, was criticized for inadequate facilities. Afghanistan’s coach, Jonathan Trott, expressed disappointment, highlighting the challenges of scheduling Test matches during the Indian monsoon season.
New Zealand’s coach, Gary Stead, shared similar frustration as the team lost valuable preparation time before their upcoming series against Sri Lanka and India. The last time a Test was washed out was in 1998 in New Zealand.
The abandoned match also emphasized Afghanistan’s need for a consistent overseas venue for their home games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has offered various venues, but Afghanistan continues to face logistical challenges for hosting international cricket.
